Benson, Jensen get 40 years for 2016 murder of Cheyenne Clough

Shawn Benson and Justin Jensen each received 40 years in prison for their roles in murdering 19-year-old Cheyenne Clough of Buffalo on June 1, 2016, the Office of the Wright County Attorney reported last week.

Clough had been staying at Jensen’s home in Maple Lake on May 30 and 31, 2016, along with Benson, Natasha Brandenburger, Callie Anderson, and Clough’s boyfriend Devon Boyles. All considered one another friends, the attorney’s release stated, and Meth use was rampant.

On May 31, 2016, Jensen contacted a bounty hunter and had Boyles arrested on a warrant. This upset Clough who threatened to turn in Anderson on her own warrant. A heated argument took place between Clough and the others in the house; the argument also involved a stolen Honda Accord out of Iowa. The argument reportedly went on into the early morning hours of June 1.

Jensen perceived Clough to be a “snitch” and a “troublemaker” for those living in his home the release stated. When Jensen and Ed Zelko arrived back at Jensen’s home at about 2 a.m. on June 1, both injected meth while sitting in Zelko’s car. Jensen then ordered Brandenburger to bring him the .22 caliber revolver from the house. Jensen then ordered her to go back into the house and bring him Shawn Benson. Benson also injected meth.

According to the release, Jensen told Benson and Zelko that Clough was threatening to “take us all down” and he ordered both to take her somewhere and “put two in the back of her head.” Jensen then told Clough that Benson and Zelko would be bringing her home. Benson and Zelko drove her to Crow Springs Park and shortly after 3 a.m. on June 1, 2016, they shot her four times with the .22 caliber revolver. Clough died on June 4, 2016.

To read the entire article, subscribe to The Maple Lake Messenger today!